Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing with Deputy Carroll-MacNeill. I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on her accession to her office and wish her a very satisfactory time there. I have no doubt she will discharge her duties with the usual distinction.

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this very important legislation. Education is always important but particularly so in the present times, when there is severe competition for places in both the manufacturing and services sectors, all of which require a higher standard of education than in the past. It is also a very competitive time insofar as job location is concerned. To judge by the debate earlier, some people seem to believe we should not encourage jobs here at all, or that people should come to invest in this country of their own goodwill or for charitable reasons. It does not work that way in the marketplace, unfortunately, nor has it ever.

We have the option, therefore, of attracting jobs here or going abroad to find jobs. In the present climate, given the circumstances of Covid-19, there are very few places one can go. What we have to do is provide expertise in education here and be able to locate global services here. The opportunities are very significant.

In past recessions, we had the option of going abroad but that option is not there any more. Everybody is in the same loop and we have to accept what goes with that. I welcome the emphasis on third and fourth levels because, as time goes by, the requirements are getting greater. In my hometown, Professor Nolan has been chairing a special group on Covid in recent times. He and his colleagues have done a tremendous job in scientifically examining the circumstances that presented themselves and expertly guiding the country towards a better place. We owe him, his team and everyone involved in the Covid crisis a great debt of gratitude.

In past booms, on the other hand, there was a tendency for young people to go to where the money was. During the boom before the previous crash, many young students went for the money that was attractive and readily available, and left the opportunity of going for further education, which, when the crash came, was very important. Unfortunately, this limited them in the opportunities that were available to them.

The Department will lay the foundations in a different way. It is very positive and welcome.

We need to emphasise the opportunities that will be available, including those in education in the both the technical and academic areas. When we invest in education, we must do it in the clear knowledge that we are investing in the country's future and that of our population, young and old. Every euro we invest will be repaid at a later stage.

We must also recognise that our population is growing. We have a bigger population now that is almost double what it was in the 1950s. This is positive and most countries cannot say that. Of course, this country was decimated by generation after generation emigrating because doing so was the only means of getting opportunities. It is great to be able to see opportunities arising at home now, and long may that continue. With the proposed investment and the emphasis being placed on education in this Bill, we need to review our targets and raise our sights. Incidentally, the Covid-19 emergency has affected the confidence of our younger generation to some extent, certainly those in primary and second level. We should recognise that when discussing third and fourth level education. We must ensure that any required incentives are provided in order to encourage this coming generation of students to go in the right direction in order that they can get the opportunities both they and the country need.

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